Gas stations play an essential role in the service sector, operating around the clock, especially along highways and remote locations, providing an important service to travelers. Regretfully, immoral and profane behavior of some young adolescents has made life unbearable for gas station workers. Some run off without paying, sometimes with the fuel hose attached, leaving the poor workers to bear the cost of the damage and stolen fuel. Notwithstanding their stupidity could also cause fire or fatalities if they run over pedestrians in their haste to get away from the station. Ayoub, a gas station worker, said that most problems occur late at night, where youngsters dish out insults before attempting their getaway. Keni, a gas station worker, said he is left with no choice but to inflict damage to the rear glass of their vehicles with stones. Hence, the runaways end up paying much more than the cost of the fuel. Ahmed Hasan thinks that all motorists should to turn off their engine during fueling. This will enable the workers to record the license plate of offenders. Another precaution could be taking the payment in advance from adolescents. However, this is a double-edged sword as not all workers are honest in their dealings. Fawaz said that he was surprised once when he discovered his tank was only half full even though he had paid in advance for a complete refill. When he returned the guilty worker admitted to suspending the pump meter to compensate for some of the shortfall he had previously incurred from a getaway car. Even though he called the security patrols to arrest the worker, he understood why he felt compelled to swindle others to recoup some of his shortfall, according to a report in Al-Riyadh newspaper. Abdul Moneim Al-Dosari adds that it is regrettable to see such immoral behavior in our society by some youngsters. He hopes that stations' owners implement safety measures such as cameras or exit gates guarded by a security personnel to overcome the problem. Maj. Ziad Al-Riqaiti, spokesman for Eastern Province Police, noted that evading payment for fuel is a felony. He pointed out that all such criminal activity is dealt with thoroughly. Their investigations usually lead the culprits being arrested and handed over to the Department of Investigation for formal procedures. He added that there are precautions station owners can implement such as prepayment systems, speed bumps or self-service pumps using credit cards.
